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Critics of High-Speed Rail Have Some Explaining to Do
On December 11, Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) announced plans to introduce a bill to stop federal funding for his state’s high-speed rail project.
California’s project is important—important enough to take questions and criticism seriously. During the project’s life so far, it has certainly faced its share. Rep. Kiley is still a freshman, but California High-Speed Rail has been a popular political target for years, and it has survived other attempts to deny funding.
Despite roadblocks from powerful opponents, California has made major progress:
Nearly the entire line—stretching from the Bay Area, through the Central Valley, to Los Angeles—now has environmental clearance. This is a major hurdle to clear, and it took years to accomplish.
More than 171 miles of the line are under construction right now between Merced and Bakersfield. More than 100 miles of the line are under construction right now between Merced and Bakersfield. The project is also creating thousands of jobs.
In tandem, California has made huge improvements on the section currently serving Silicon Valley. Improvements to Caltrain there include electrification and frequent departures. Caltrain is already demonstrating the benefits that investments in high-speed trains can deliver.
Despite the critics, polling in recent years has found continuing support for California’s high-speed rail project, as well as growing nationwide support for American high-speed rail. And despite decades-long attempts in Congress to defund Amtrak, our national passenger railroad is still running.
Enough already! Leading the way on major transportation initiatives is hard. Criticism is easy. It’s time to turn the tables. The critics of California High-Speed Rail should answer questions like these:
Is there an alternative?
Representative Kiley’s brief news release says that funding should go instead to “improving roads.” This shows narrow, short-sighted thinking. No road improvement can deliver the speed, convenience, safety, and efficiency of high-speed trains. Travelers in more and more countries all over the world already have these benefits. Americans can too.
What’s your solution for airline meltdowns, high gas prices, endless congestion, and dangerous driving?
The enduring popularity of Amtrak, the huge ridership that new trains are drawing, and the excitement generated by plans for new and improved service all over the country show that Americans want better travel options. Trains provide them.
Do you support other high-speed rail projects?
California’s project has attracted the most attention, but other work for high-speed rail is moving forward in regions throughout the country: the Pacific Northwest, Texas, the Midwest, the Northeast, and the Southeast. Most projects are public, but a private company, Brightline West, also aims to open a 200-mph line between Las Vegas and California by 2028.
Why is there a double standard for trains and highways?
New train lines cost real money, but it looks reasonable—even modest—next to enormous American highway spending. Building the Interstate highway system took decades and cost hundreds of billions in today’s dollars. Today, ongoing costs for roadway maintenance and expansion require hundreds of billions in total from federal, state, and local government. Singling out the cost of trains makes no sense.
Fast, frequent, and affordable trains make life easier and better for everyone—whether you are on the train or not. Trains help to bring families and friends together. Trains create stronger communities by connecting people to work, educational, and cultural opportunities. Trains reduce pollution, and they have an unparalleled safety record.
It’s important for projects like California High-Speed Rail to succeed, for the sake of the whole country. Instead of keeping Americans stuck in traffic or cramped airline seats, let’s commit as a nation to great high-speed rail projects and make investments that see them through.
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